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NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Republican Senate hopeful and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton is defending his vote against the farm bill, saying he didn't believe the legislation did enough to cut food stamps or to help Arkansas' agricultural industry.

Speaking to the Arkansas Farm Bureau at a day-long candidate forum Tuesday, Cotton said he didn't think the nearly $100 million dollar a year legislation did enough to reform the food stamp program and cut its costs. Cotton was the only member of the state's congressional delegation to vote against the legislation earlier this year.

Cotton is trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor this fall. Pryor has criticized Cotton for his vote against the measure.

The farm bureau planned to hear from candidates from the state's top offices throughout the day.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 60 total comments

Rural Arkansas lives off production and marketing of food chickens, cattle and row crops which are eaten by the poor purchased with food stamps so young Tom would not only starve the poor but harm the rest of rural Arkansas by cutting food stamps. But since the Koch brothers opposed the farm bill maybe young Tom was merely being a faithful house servant for the Koch brothers.

Well by golly, if food stamps are that important to the economic well being of rural Arkansas then YES, absolutely, let's provide them to every American citizen! On second thought, let's also give them to all foreigners entering the country, for whatever reason, as well. That'll really get our rural economy perking...........eh, carpenterretared?

If it were commodities instead of food stamps, maybe it could be considered a farm issue. But food stamps are now an debit card and purchase soft drinks, snacks and a lot od things that aren't that nutricious. Food stamps shouldn't be a part of the farm bill. But there was a lot of pork there. Tom was right to take a stand, seems that doesn't get done much anymore.

Who did he stand up to? Not the poor of this Red State. He stood up with the Wealthy Koch brothers. Courage, Conviction and Fortitude NOT...A farming state with an alarming number of poor residents and you vote against it. I guess his Christian values were lost in Washington. Get ready for Cruz Jr.

OK, I get it that you righties hate food stamps -- those poor people should just starve I guess. But since you also hate big government, why in the world do you think it is just fine to subsidize farmers whether they need it or not? How much government welfare does Riceland need? How much should we subsidize crop insurance for millionaire farm owners from out of state? This farm bill does both. If the poor deserve no food aid, then maybe it is time for farmers and Big AG to man up too.

I'm so tired of hearing how we are a poor state! We don't have to act and live like we're poor and being proud of it. Being one of the highest taxed state the question should be where is our money going? Go Tom Cotton!